For Immediate Release: September 18, 2025 

Pope Leo affirmed that including women in the ordained diaconate is a legitimate topic for ongoing discernment during his recent interview with CRUX’s Elise Allen. He underscores the need for a renewed understanding and lived practice of the whole diaconate – permanent and transitional – in the universal Church. 

The Holy Father adds: “I am certainly willing to continue to listen to people.” We at Discerning Deacons applaud Pope Leo’s commitment to the synodal journey with listening as its central practice. We are committed to the Synod’s Implementation Phase and to working cooperatively to explore a renewed diaconate, as inspired by Paragraphs 60 and 73 in the Final Synod Document. After all, there is no Church doctrine against restoring women to the ordained permanent diaconate. 

Discerning Deacons will submit a request to meet with the Holy Father to share testimonies of how the Holy Spirit is calling forth the vocational calls of women to diaconate ministry in our local communities. We ask you – Discerning Deacons friends and followers – to pray that this request be received so that we have the opportunity to enter into dialogue and mutual listening with Pope Leo.

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About Discerning Deacons

Discerning Deacons engages Catholics in active discernment about the role of women in the Church and the renewal of the diaconate so that the Church may serve all God’s people around the world. Learn more: DiscerningDeacons.org

Contact: Comms@discerningdeacons.org